October 9, 2010 – Click through to read the entire blog posting. The synopsis doesn’t do it justice. Confused objectives cost lives of brave military men and women. Did we have the right strategy to confront the enemy? Who is the enemy? Failure to clearly define the mission results in impromtu rules of engagement to fit the consequences of the situation not the desired results.

October 2, 2010 – Not sure I understand the mission: ARCYBER’s mission is to plan, coordinate, integrate, synchronize, direct, and conduct network operations and defense of all Army networks. When directed, ARCYBER will conduct cyberspace operations in support of full spectrum operations to ensure U.S. and allied freedom of action in cyberspace, and to deny the same to adversaries.

September 28, 2010 – Can’t wait to get a copy of Bob Woodward’s book. Not convinced the military brass sand-bagged the President. If you seek a “military solution” then it it probably best to consult our military leadership. If you are looking for a “diplomatic” or “political” solution, then it might be better to seek counsel from other sources. Most importantly, if you are seeking to determine whether American lives lost (and maimed) and the countless billions of dollars of scare resources are worth the hoped for military, diplomatic or political “solution,” then please seek counsel from history and trusted advisors and friends who put our country’s long-term well-being ahead of any particular agenda. In other words, don’t ask the pastry chef to give you menu options.

September 25, 2010 – Maybe I’m reading between the lines, but General Chairelli seems to think our military procurement system is working OK, but our troops are exhausted from long deployments. Will that change? It’s a shame that he was addressing military equipment vendors. Who is the lobbyist for our troops?

September 25, 2010 – Hey Washington, we have a problem! It does seem that the US Army military leadership has taken the bull by the horns and is beginning to address the “unintended consequences” of war and the difficulties associated with diagnosing TBI. We hope that our brave men and women in uniform will get the proper treatment.

September 25, 2010 – Is this just another example of a new feeding frenzy for “mentors,” “lobbyists” and other “connected” vendors at taxpayer expense? The military industrial complex seems to be alive and well. Please,”Say it ain’t so, GI Joe!”

September 25, 2010 – Let’s keep our focus and make sure that the young men and women serving in harm’s way have the best combat gear and protective gear available, regardless of their sexual orientation.

September 25, 2010 – I see nothing wrong with a “heated” debate when you commit US troops to combat. I would expect nothing less and, indeed, it is reassuring that passionate debate ensues before making these difficult decisions.

September 25, 2010 – Ah! Now I understand. I didn’t realize that we were in the third phase of a “three phase war.” Did President’s Bush and Obama realize this? Did the American public understand? Please, cut the sophistry.

September 18, 2010 – Terribly sad. Just another of the “unintended consequences” of war. Let’s hope that we can give these young men and women the help and support they need to transition back to a near normal life.

September 18, 2010 – This Congressional hearing should be interesting. Many are not happy with the current situation which places a terrible strain on our brave warriors. Nevertheless, not convinced that Congressional hearings is the “right” precedent to opine and attempt to micro-manage military operational strategy.

September 11, 2010 – Absolutely spot on! The Defense Acquisition Board, Congress and military and civilian leaders are not doing an adequate job monitoring how taxpayer funds are being used to fund military programs. The GAO consistently picks up the pieces of inadequate test procedures, contracts awarded without bids and outright lies and misrepresentations by military contractors. This is a shame, but who wants to deal with Beltway corruption? Our troops in the field bear the brunt of this “broken” procurement process and taxpayers foot the bill to the joy of military contractors. Such a shame.

September 11, 2010 – Even with a 350 page report documenting the tragic effects of BTI on military personnel, some of our brass still doesn’t want to understand the tragic “unintended consequences” of war. Such a pity.

September 11, 2010 – Ummmmm . . . I thought Wikileaks had exposed most of the Afghan War secrets. Obviously, the US Army censors couldn’t recognize a “secret” if it was served up on a silver platter. At least the author got his royalties.

September 11, 2010 – Please! I know we experimented with drugs to alter troop behavior(unsuccessfully and with awful side-effects) so surely this can’t be true. How about some Mozart to stimulate “little grey cells.” If the Army wants to program something, how about robots?

September 9, 2010 – The abrupt resignation of British Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Sherard Cowper-Coles, has already created anti-war protests in the UK and I suspect this will intensify in the coming weeks.

September 8, 2010 – Synopsis of various books circulating around the DC Beltway on military leadership. Conspiracy theory abound as our military leadership is being forced to voice their opinions publically. Their job is to provide “wise counsel” to our civilian leadership and not be used as a media vehicle to promote dissent. Most difficult in an “open” society.

September 4, 2010 – Mr Haass raises important “questions” for which the answers are still somewhat vague. Just because you declare and “end to combat operations” doesn’t mean combat is over. The 50,000 troops we have in Iraq are not Peace Corps volunteers.

September 4, 2010 – Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Tough call regardless of your views on Afghanistan. All the more reason for the Afghanistan government and those that support “the better angels” to get on board and learn to take care of themselves.

September 4, 2010 – “Western media” to blame for corruption in Afghanistan. I think not! It’s a sad commentary when we are shedding American blood in a country where you are never confident if the leadership has your back.

September 4, 2010 – Pat Tillman was a hero and an inspiration to all who serve our courtry. It is a shame that our military brass was involved in a cover-up that casts doubts on the integrity and honesty of our military leadership.

August 27, 2010 – Quite a thoughtful article on the risks of ceding effective control of our US military to private contractors. It is often simply question of loyalty and integrity vs. a tradeoff of efficiency and secrecy. How are public interests best served? I certainly don’t have the answers, but I am fearful of “shadow” contractors who operate outside the limits of public scrutiny.

August 27, 2010 – Is this the changing face of modern warfare. Clearly, recent attempts by the Chinese and Russians (not verified or, at least, not disclosed to the public) to compromise our communications networks is quite sobering. Not sure the military is the “right” answer, but it does appear that we are vulnerable.

August 27, 2010 – Good overall analysis of the debate on the future of the Marine Corps. Clearly, with a raging budget deficit and Secretary Gates’ desire to reign in military spending, there are no more sacred cows. Can a solution be reached which preserves the rich traditions and valiant service rendered by the USMC?

August 21, 2010 – Plan B or changing policy to fit the circumstances? When people talk of “core US interests” I smell political expediency. With growing public disenchantment with the war in Afghanistan, Plan B is certainly a plausible scenario to declare “Mission Accomplished” in Afghanistan.

August 21, 2010 – While thrilled that troop exposure has been reduced in Iraq, it is no time to rejoice. As this Washington Post article points out, there are still a number of pitfalls as Iraq struggles to create a “safe” political environment.

August 14, 2010 – Not sure it makes a lot of sense for the Marine Corps to redefine their mission. Isn’t that the responsibility of the Secreatry of Defense in consultation with the other military service components, Congress and other govenment Departments and agencies?

August 12, 2010 – What have they got to hide? What is the difference between a “mentor” and a “lobbyist”? With countless GAO studies suggesting an unhealthy relationship between vendors and the military procurement process, the least Secretary Gates can do is to require vendors to publically disclose all former military and DOD civilian officials who have received more that $10,000 in commissions or non-salary compensation. Similary, the military should do the same for Mentors or Consultants. Make those 1099s public.

August 12, 2010 – We often take our brave young heroes for granted, but clearly there are serious “unintended consequences” of prolonged deployments, short rotation periods and the rigors of fighting wars in Afghanistand and Iraq. SFTT applauds the recent disclosures and initiatives taken by the military leadership to deal with the mental and physical well-being of our men and women in uniform.

August 12, 2010 – This is very good news. Clearly, shortened rotations were cited in the recent US Army Report on Suicide Prevention as a factor in contributing to high stress among our men and women in uniform.

August 7, 2010 – The development and deployment of light and effective body armor is to be applauded. Nevertheless, considering the US Army’s and DoD’s shoddy test procedures and questionable contract awards as documented in GAO studies, we are hopeful that all new military protective gear is properly tested and its suppliers vetted.

August 7, 2010 – A recurring tragedy that ravishes the families of the brave heroes who serve in harm’s way. With recent release of the US Army report on Suicide Prevention, we are hopeful that our frontline troops get the medical and psychiatric attention they deserve to deal with this serious problem.

August 7, 2010 – Surely you must be kidding me? Lots of jokes come to mind – like the mushroom in the basement – but obviously quite a few Pentagon staffers were out doing their inane version of damage control. Doesn’t it seem fair that our troops deserve the same level of intelligence that our enenmies have or do we feel compelled to provide them with a sanitized version?

August 7, 2010 – While there is no question that safeguarding the lives and safety of non-combatant civilians is a critical component of any military operation, it places a huge strain on on US forces policing what has now become a civil or tribal war in Afghanistan. When you insert a clause that permit US troops to respond aggressively in self-defense, you are advocating a military doctrine that is open to interpretation and pretty much useless.

August 7, 2010 – The development and deployment of light and effective body armor is to be applauded. Nevertheless, considering the US Army’s and DoD’s shoddy test procedures and questionable contract awards as documented in GAO studies, we are hopeful that all new military protective gear is properly tested and its suppliers vetted.

August 7, 2010 – A recurring tragedy that ravishes the families of the brave heroes who serve in harm’s way. With recent release of the US Army report on Suicide Prevention, we are hopeful that our frontline troops get the medical and psychiatric attention they deserve to deal with this serious problem.

August 7, 2010 – Surely you must be kidding me? Lots of jokes come to mind – like the mushroom in the basement – but obviously quite a few Pentagon staffers were out doing their inane version of damage control. Doesn’t it seem fair that our troops deserve the same level of intelligence that our enenmies have or do we feel compelled to provide them with a sanitized version?

August 7, 2010 – While there is no question that safeguarding the lives and safety of non-combatant civilians is a critical component of any military operation, it places a huge strain on on US forces policing what has now become a civil or tribal war in Afghanistan. When you insert a clause that permit US troops to respond aggressively in self-defense, you are advocating a military doctrine that is open to interpretation and pretty much useless.